Image: Jean Woodbury, joined by Tom Clark, Asst. Dir. Rockport Public Library in Springfield, Mass. for The Association for Small and Rural Libraries (ARSL) 2024 national conference
The Association for Small and Rural Libraries (ARSL) was founded in in 1982 and became an American Library Association (ALA) affiliate in 2008. The ARSL conference is scheduled in a different part of the country each year, cycling through a five year rotation, spread out by region and city to foster congenial networking and knowledge. In 2024 the convention landed in the Northeast, and for the first time in Massachusetts. Attendees encountered celebrity writers and panels and an impressive Author Fest. Author Jean Woodbury traveled with Tom Clark to celebrate The Tree in Dock Square and Cape Ann Reads on the road and representing our region and local libraries at ARSL! (arsl.org)
December 2nd, 2023 is busy all over Cape Ann! Activities in Rockport are scheduled all day (from 11-4) leading up to Rockport’s Tree Lighting Celebration in Dock Square. Literary Cape Ann’s 2023 Holiday Book & Author Fair at Brackett’s, next to Brother’s Brew, will be bustling 12-3.
Meet special guest Andre Dubus III along with 22 authors of fiction, memoir, cookbooks, mystery, sci-fi, children’s books, local culture…and many more books from The Bookstore in Gloucester!
SHOP FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Literary Cape Ann poster 2023
Dock Square singers for Rockport’s annual tree lighting meet up to practice at 2pm. See below.
caption: Literary Cape Ann poster 2023; photos Rockport, MA 2023; upcoming events Dec. 3 & 9th
more special seasonal events Upcoming in rockport Dec. 3 & Dec. 9
Rockport Public Library Sat. Dec 9th 10:30-11:30: Celebrating the History of Rockport’s Annual Tree Lighting on its 38th Anniversary. A conversation with Mike Costello, former Executive Director of Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and Dorothy Ramsey Stoffa, Time Honored Emcee and Lyricist for “Christmas in Rockport” with Jean Woodbury, author The Tree in Dock Square.
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
10-11:30 Saturday December 3, 2022 – Free family fun!
A reading and book signing of The Tree In Dock Square at Sawyer Free Library **location on Main Street**
with special guests author Jean Woodbury and artist Bonnie L. Sylvester
SFL@21Main photo tour
The bright library is in the space memorably outfitted by Rob Newton’s Cape Ann Community Cinema (now in Rockport). His investments into upgrades and renovations –concession stand, lobby, viewing room (staff and Wellspring meeting uses), handicap accessible bathrooms, and more– are well suited for the retrofitted library zones. Stairs/elevator to 2nd floor. Ground Floor is Mystery Train. Note: The elevator is to the right when you walk in the entry. (65 Rogers/21 Main –the only entrance is on Main)
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
Reminder this coming Saturday: Rockport Massachusetts is hosting the annual Rockport Illumination day of free family summer fun!
Volunteers help place the enchanting paper lanterns in earnest this Thursday.
Illumination Day Schedule 2022 – Saturday August 13th 11:00-2:30
Art and merchant raffles. Join us in paint your own lantern, face painting, kids activities, and…storytelling! Sponsored by “Institution for Savings”
Storytime Readers 11:00 Rockport Chief of Police John Horvath 11:30 Selectman Paul Murphy 12:00 Selectwoman Denise Donnelly 12:30 Emily Souza Children’s Librarian Rockport Public Library 1:00 Jean Woodbury local author of “The Tree in Dock Square”
Music in Dock Square 2-4 Rhiannon Hurst, Steve Lacey, Jace Mason / Jazz Music 4:15-6:15 – RPS Band / Rhythm/Soul 6:30-8:30 Northwest Fox Trio / Alternative Rock
Fireworks
9pm (will last about 20-25 minutes)
Rain date August 14th.
featured storytime reading 1pm
paper lanterns photo- c. ryan, 2016
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
The Cape Ann Reads inaugural reception celebrating original children’s picture books by local artists and writers was held at City Hall in Gloucester, Massachusetts, January 27, 2018. Linda Bosselman of Sawyer Free Library was the official photographer for the packed event and she captured all its positive energy and people. An upcoming group exhibition featuring these participants will travel to the four Cape Ann communities. As you can see from the celebration pictures, the touring exhibition and its related receptions and readings will be worth a visit! Cape Ann Reads is an initiative by the four public libraries of Cape Ann.
The Cape Ann Reads reception and awards ceremony opened in style – thanks to the red-ribbon cutting courtesy of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and Ken Riehl.
Portraits of the artists and writers
City Hall is a gorgeous venue for an art fair. Linda photographed all the local artists and writers at their individual picture book display booths. Effort was high. Kind friends manned booths for participants who were unable to attend: Ashley was there for Steven Kennedy and Victoria Petway, and Sinikka Nogelo represented Gail and James Seavey.
Cape Ann Reads Medal Book- The Tree in Dock Square, written by Jean Woodbury (L) illustrations by Bonnie Sylvester (R)Dalton Takes Off by Randy Jones and Sara Wester If I were a Moose and other series by James Mckenna and illustrated by Juni VanDykeBike’s Big Adventure and by Charles illustrated by Alexia ParkerFaraway Grammie written by Marua Wadlinger and illustrated by Christina Ean SpanglerCindy Schimanski series with illustrators Jill Chiperinni and GibbonThe Prince of Winter by martha Shaw Geraghty and illustrated by John PlunkettAmy Prichard Gilbert and Gizmo’s Great AdventuresLet’s Go! Animal Tracks in the Snow written by Diane Polley and illustrated by Marion HallThe Best Way Home Barbara McLaughlinMary Rhinelander “Why does My dog…?”Ashley Pengelly sitting in for friends’ booth: Steven Kennedy and Victoria Petway Jimbo and His MustacheWhere in the World is Catherine Abigail written by michael LaPenna and illustrated by Leslie GalacarKim Smith Beauty on the WingPumpkin Carving, poems, Crabs the Lobster- G. and illustrated by Alexia ParkerAlice Gardner St Peter’s FiestaThe Tree in Dock Square by Jean Woodbury illustrated by Bonnie SylvesterMother and daughter- Small Elephant or Small one, written by Kirsten Allenbrook Wiberg and illustrated by Betty Allenbrook Wiberg by Daisy Nell and illustrated by George Ulrich- The Stowaway Mouse, Tilly and the Pirates, and Winnie at the WheelA Day in Rockport written by SD Kelly and illustrated by Mary FainoHenrietta’s Moon Egg by Claire WyzenbeekJim and Gail Seavey’s Above Water
Welcome
Awards ceremony program began with a warm welcome of support for the arts from Mayor Romeo Theken and opening remarks by the Library Directors and special dignitaries
Mayor Romeo ThekenKyrouz Auditorium Cape Ann Museum Director, Ronda FaloonSenator TarrSara Collins, Director, Manchester Public LibraryCindy Grove, Director, Rockport Public LibraryDeborah Kelsey, Director, Gloucester Lyceum& Sawyer FreeDeb French, Director, TOHP Burnham Library, Essex
Jurors
Deliberations were held at Cape Ann Museum and Beauport Hotel.
Cape Ann Reads convened a nine member selection panel that included representatives from each of the public libraries: Justine Vitale Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library; Carol Bender, former Children’s and Teen Librarian, Rockport Public Library (now at Manchester); Kate Strong Stadt, former Head of Youth Services, Manchester-By-The-Sea Public Library; Ann Cowman, Young Adult Librarian, Manchester-By-The-Sea Public Library; and April Wanner, Assistant Librarian at the TOHP Burnham Library, Essex. Joining these talented library staff members were three artists and award winning children’s book author-illustrators: Pat Lowery Collins; Giles Laroche; and Anna Vojtech. Bob Ritchie proprietor of Dogtown Book Shop provided another crucial area of book world expertise. Cape Ann Reads is grateful for their time and considerable talents to help the participants and the process.
Each library and the Cape Ann Museum designated one child representative for the second jury — a thoughtful panel of children: Eli Porter, Alycia Hogan Lopez, John Recroft, Lucas Rodi, and Josie West. They put in tremendous effort to read every entry, prepare notes, and come together for discussion. They were tasked with close reading and instructions to let us know any books that were favorites or that they wanted to compliment. Several came to assist the event as junior staff.
Awards presentation – Cape Ann Reads Gulliver, Honor and Medal books
Good Morning Gloucester 